Insulin resistance syndrome tied to birth weight. (Gestational Diabetes, Maternal Obesity).

SEATTLE -- Children who are large for gestational age and exposed to either gestational diabetes or maternal obesity are at increased risk for developing insulin resistance syndrome during their childhood, Dr. Charlotte Boney reported at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.

Findings from a prospective, observational study suggest that being large for gestational age is a marker for fetal hyperinsulinemia in an environment of either gestational diabetes or maternal obesity, and possibly glucose intolerance.

"These observations support the hypothesis that abnormal fetal nutrition predisposes to insulin resistance in later life," said Dr. …